Baseball cards have been a beloved hobby and collectible for over a century. While most cards in collections have nominal value, there are certain rare and coveted baseball cards that can be worth significant money. Whether it’s a vintage card of Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle rookie, or modern star rookie card, the right baseball card held in the right condition could fetch thousands or even hundreds of thousands at auction.
In 2022, the baseball card market remains strong. Interest in collecting and investing in the highest end cards has surged in recent years. Prices for iconic cards like the T206 Honus Wagner and 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie have reached astronomical levels. There are still plenty of affordable cards from years past and the modern era that can gain value over time as well. Here is a look at some baseball cards that are worth money in 2022 across different eras of the hobby.
Vintage Cards (Pre-1980)
The earliest and most sought-after baseball cards come from the tobacco era before modern packs were introduced in the 1950s. Cards inserted in cigarette packs from the 1880s-1910s are the pinnacle finds for collectors.
T206 Honus Wagner (1909): The most coveted and valuable card in the world, only 50-200 are known to exist. High grade examples have sold for over $6 million. Even low grade copies still fetch six figures.
T205 White Border set (1909-1911): Complete sets with high grade examples of stars like Mathewson and Lajoie can be worth $100,000+. Individual key cards sell for thousands.
E90/E92/E94 tobacco cards (1909-1911): Sets featuring early stars like Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson and Cy Young can be worth $50,000+ complete in top condition.
1915 Cracker Jack cards: Stars like Joe Jackson, Eddie Collins and Smoky Joe Wood featured. A high grade Babe Ruth is worth $150,000. Full sets sell for $30,000+.
1933 Goudey cards: Mickey Cochrane and Jimmie Foxx rookies can reach $15,000 each. A Babe Ruth is worth over $100,000 in top shape.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie: In pristine “gem mint” condition, it’s worth over $2 million. Even lower graded copies still sell for six figures.
1956 Topps Ted Williams: Considered one of the rarest modern cards. An unopened run of 1956 Topps wax packs sold for $240,000.
Post-WWII and 1950s
The post-war era saw the rise of the modern baseball card format we know today with gum and candy included. These mid-century issues had smaller print runs and featured many future Hall of Famers as rookies.
1952 Topps rookie stars: Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Whitey Ford among the most valuable at $50,000+ in top condition.
1954 Topps Hank Aaron rookie: A pristine example could reach $100,000. Most sell for $10,000-30,000.
1955 Topps Sandy Koufax rookie: $25,000+ for a gem mint copy.
1956 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie: $15,000+ for a near-mint card.
1957 Topps Willie McCovey rookie: $10,000+ for a pristine rookie.
1959 Topps Bob Gibson rookie: Considered one of the scarcest. $30,000+ for a perfect card.
1960 Topps Roberto Clemente: His only card while still with the Pirates. $5,000+ in top shape.
1961 Topps Roger Maris: From his 61 home run season. $3,000+ for a pristine card.
1960s-1970s Stars
Cards from the high-scoring 1960s and pitcher-dominated 1970s feature many stars still beloved today. Key rookie and star cards hold value.
1964 Topps/1965 Topps Sandy Koufax: $1,000+ each for near-mint examples.
1965 Topps/1966 Topps Roberto Clemente: $1,000+ each for pristine copies.
1968 Topps/1969 Topps Johnny Bench rookie: $3,000+ for a gem mint Bench rookie.
1970 Topps Reggie Jackson rookie: $1,500+ for a perfect rookie card.
1971 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie: $2,000+ for a pristine rookie year card.
1972 Topps/1973 Topps Mike Schmidt rookie: $1,500+ for a near-mint Schmidt rookie.
1974 Topps/1975 Topps George Brett rookie: $1,000+ for a perfect rookie card.
1975 Topps/1976 Topps Fred Lynn rookie: $1,000+ for a pristine Lynn rookie.
1977 Topps Ozzie Smith rookie: $1,000+ for a near-mint rookie card.
1980s-1990s Stars
The junk wax era produced cards in staggering numbers but rookie stars still hold value years later. Graded gem mint 10 examples command the highest prices.
1984 Topps/1985 Topps Roger Clemens rookie: $1,000+ for a perfect rookie.
1987 Topps/1988 Topps Mark McGwire rookie: $1,000+ for a pristine rookie.
1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie: $1,500+ for a near-mint rookie.
1990 Topps/1991 Topps Frank Thomas rookie: $1,000+ for a perfect rookie card.
1992 Bowman Manny Ramirez rookie: $500+ for a gem mint rookie.
1993 SP Derek Jeter rookie: $1,000+ for a pristine rookie card.
1994 SP Chipper Jones rookie: $1,000+ for a near-mint rookie.
1995 SP Derek Jeter gold rookie: $2,000+ for a perfect gold parallel.
1996 Ultra Chipper Jones rookie: $1,000+ for a gem mint rookie.
2000s-Present Stars
Modern stars still early in their careers hold the most value potential long term. Graded rookie cards are key for appreciation.
2000 Bowman Chipper Jones jersey card: $1,500+ for a perfect swatch card.
2001 Bowman Albert Pujols rookie: $1,000+ for a gem mint rookie.
2003 Topps Miguel Cabrera rookie: $500+ for a near-mint rookie.
2004 Bowman Ryan Howard rookie: $500+ for a perfect rookie.
2007 Bowman Draft Kris Bryant auto: $1,000+ for a perfect auto rookie.
2009 Topps Update Mike Trout rookie: $1,500+ for a gem mint rookie.
2010 Topps Update Bryce Harper rookie: $1,000+ for a pristine rookie.
2012 Topps Update Mike Trout rookie auto: $3,000+ for a perfect auto card.
2013 Topps Update Juan Soto rookie auto: $1,500+ for a flawless rookie auto.
As you can see, there are plenty of baseball cards across different eras that can hold significant value in 2022, especially when high graded. While the most expensive cards are out of reach for most collectors, many affordable stars from the past 30-40 years can still be found with patience. With care and proper storage over time, today’s investments could become tomorrow’s treasures.
